Your skin type affects every aspect of your skin care and makeup routine, from the types of Products that work best for youthe way you should use them. Hence, your first step in changing your skin care or beauty routine (or when following it up for the first time) should be to identify your skin type. Fortunately, this is very easy to determine and does not require special tools or professional input.
Understand the different skin types
The main skin type categories are: dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne prone skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin. It’s important to note that you can have multiple skin types at the same time, and your skin type can also change over time.
Dry skin
Characteristics of dry skin include:
- Rough or flaky texture;
- Tightness / lack of elasticity;
- More noticeable fine lines and wrinkles;
- Redness and irritation;
- Hardly visible pores.
If you have dry skin, Choosing the Right Moisturizer is incredibly important. You can benefit from a thick ointment or even a combination of ointment and lotion, focusing on the areas that are usually the driest. It’s also important to note that your skin should be damp when you apply your moisturizer in order for it to properly lock in the moisture. As for makeup, ideally you should use a liquid foundation that has moisturizer in it.
Oily skin
Features of oily skin include:
- Enlarged pores;
- Luster or greasiness;
- Less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles;
- Prone to acne;
- Doesn’t hold makeup well.
There is a common myth about skin care If you have oily skin, you shouldn’t use a moisturizer. That’s not the case. If you have oily skin, consider using a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. In terms of makeup, a powder foundation or an oil-free liquid foundation is likely best for you. Oily skin often doesn’t hold up makeup well over time; Therefore, it is also helpful to use a primer, as well as spray or powder down, to avoid wear and smudging.
Combination skin
Combination skin, as the name suggests, has properties for both dry and oily skin. In this case it is usually yours T-zone will be oily while other areas of your face are dry.
One option for combination skin is to use different products (like moisturizers and foundations) for the dry and oily areas of your face. However, it is possible to find products specifically designed for combination skin if you want to avoid the hassle and expense of using different products.
Acne prone skin
The main indicator of acne prone skin is of course acne, blackheads, and blemishes. In addition, acne-prone skin is often associated with oily skin.
Many people with acne-prone skin can benefit from oral or topical medications, which you should discuss with your doctor. However, there are a few other things you can do as part of your acne-prone skin treatment routine, including:
- Wash your face regularly with a cleanser that is formulated for acne.
- Use a toner.
- Use an oil-free moisturizer.
- Use a powder or oil-free liquid primer.
- Look for non-comedogenic products.
Sensitive skin
Some of the characteristics of sensitive skin include:
- Itching, stinging, burning, or restlessness;
- Redness, rashes, or blemishes;
- Allergic reaction;
- Roughness or flakiness;
- Sensitivity to sunlight.
When it comes to sensitive skin, there is often a lot to advise and check. You need to find products that won’t make your skin worse. So it is helpful to try products before buying a larger size. Typically, the products that are best for people with sensitive skin are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and contain SPF. It is also helpful to wash the skin thoroughly instead of scrubbing it.
Mature skin
Mature skin refers to skin whose texture, appearance, or other characteristics have changed as a result of aging. These changes can include:
- Loss of elasticity;
- Fine lines and wrinkles;
- Hanging;
- Fragility.
It is important to wash mature skin thoroughly with a gentle cleanser to avoid damaging sensitive skin. For the same reason, it is also becoming more important than ever to moisturize and use SPF to prevent damage. Ointments, creams, and lotions can also be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
People with mature skin can also use products such as:
Methods of Identifying Your Skin Type
In addition to finding the features listed above, there are a few more steps you can take to identify your skin type.
Naked method
It can help to observe your skin in different conditions. In addition to watching closely over time, it is often beneficial to use the “bare face method” to determine if your skin is dry or oily.
In this method, the face is gently washed and then left without the use of any product for about half an hour. After half an hour of waiting, dry skin often feels tight or itchy and even feels flaky or rough. If your skin is also sensitive it may burn or show signs of a rash. In the meantime, oily skin usually appears shiny. If you see signs of dryness and oiliness, you may have combination skin.
Blotting sheet method
You can use Blotting paper to see how much oil your face is oozing out. If you lightly blot your face with blotting paper and hold it up to the light, you can see excess oil off your face.
Ideally, you should compare the oil production of different sections of your face, as well as your face’s oil production over time, under different conditions and using different products. This is a great way to tell not only whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, but also how your skin reacts to different products and routines, as well as factors like the weather and your diet.
Smiling way
There is another strategy that you can use in combination with the naked method. Watch your face smile after you’ve cleaned and dried your face. If your cheeks and / or skin feel tight, or if fine lines or wrinkles appear particularly noticeable, you may have dry skin.
As already mentioned, Your skin and its needs can change over time based on age, lifestyle, and environment. Therefore, it is helpful to check your skin type regularly.
